Inventor: Bartolomeo Cristofori

The piano is veiled in mystery in its origins. It is not known as to when exactly the first ‘piano’ was invented—the ‘arpicembalo che fà il piano e il forte’ (a harpsichord that can play quietly and loudly), otherwise known as the pianoforte. For many years harpsichord manufacturers had tried and failed at creating an advanced version of the harpsichord that would deliver dynamic sounds that differed in amplitude, or loudness. Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, keeper of instruments in the court of Prince Ferdinand de Medici of Florence was the one who solved the puzzle and delivered the results. It is said that he first created the prototype as early as 1694; but according to other accounts, it is said that the pianoforte was completed sometime around 1709, or in the early 1700s. In any case, it is with no doubt that the pianoforte is rather a miraculous instrument that represents the combined result of traditional musical practice and the industrial revolution.

The piano is made up of three key parts: a large, wooden body; a set of metal chords fixed at both ends inside of this wooden body; and a keyboard mechanism which triggers hammers that strike specific cords. Its relatives include the zither, the clavichord, and the harpsichord. The pianoforte is the older version of the contemporary piano, but the two are essentially the same.

Music, much like agriculture, played (and still plays) a major role in the community. Though Cristofori’s pianoforte did not get picked up until much later, the idea spread from Italy to many other nations including England, which, undoubtedly, led to the introduction of the piano to America.

Picture from:
http://www.ptg.org/museum/Images/cristo.jpg

Sources:

School of Information. CHICO. 2 Jan. 2004 <http://www.si.umich.edu/chico/instrument/>. Path: Browse; Browse General Reference; String; Pianoforte.

• This site provides information on different types of pianos and how they differ from the original 'piano'.

Berry, Ronald Lee. Cristofori Piano. 2 Jan. 2004 <http://www.ptg.org/museum/cristo.htm>.

• This website provides information on the inventor Cristofori.

About.com. The History of the Piano-Bartolomeo Cristofori. 2 Jan. 2004 < http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blpiano.htm>.

• This website details the significance of the piano.